TRPA eNews, By Hayley Williamson and Vince Hoenigman

Just two weeks ago, leaders and community members gathered on Lake Tahoe’s South Shore to celebrate nearly three decades of collaboration in restoring the unique environment of the Tahoe Basin. The 29th annual Lake Tahoe Summit, hosted by U.S. Senator Adam Schiff at Valhalla Tahoe, shone a light on the remarkable progress being made and reaffirmed the shared commitment to protect one of America’s most treasured landscapes.

The theme this year—Protecting Lake Tahoe: Balancing Sustainable Recreation and Conservation—captured many of the challenges facing the Tahoe Basin today. Our collaborative work to protect and restore Lake Tahoe must consider the region’s unmatched recreation opportunities.

The theme was a call to action, and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) and partner agencies are rising to the challenge. In July, the TRPA Governing Board unanimously approved Connections 2050, the Regional Transportation Plan designed to modernize transit, trails, technology, and town centers. The plan supports ongoing solutions such as expanded microtransit services, better connecting hundreds of miles of bike paths, and identifying funding sources to complete them.

Upgrades to Tahoe’s busiest recreation corridors are reducing traffic and unsafe roadside parking, including the pilot Emerald Bay Shuttle collaboration, which has served more than 1,500 riders in its first month alone. On the East Shore, a shared vision is transforming Nevada State Route 28 into a safer, more sustainable corridor with better parking management, expanded transit service, a mobility hub at Spooner Summit, and extension of the Tahoe East Shore Trail to Spooner.

While there is much more to do, Senator Schiff and his fellow speakers recognized the importance of partnership and leadership in past and future accomplishments. The gathering honored the legacy of influential figures in Tahoe’s history, including former TRPA Governing Board Member E. Clement “Clem” Shute Jr. and the late U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein. Along with many others, their vision and leadership helped secure a brighter future for this special place.

During a special moment, leaders on stage presented the Dianne Feinstein Lake Tahoe Award upon Clem Shute for his illustrious legal career and for his role in negotiating a pivotal update to the Lake Tahoe Regional Plan in 2012. Ultimately, the successful plan update brought California and Nevada back together in their commitment to the Bi-State Compact.

It was Senators Feinstein and Harry Reid of Nevada who helped convene the first Tahoe Summit in 1997, a turning point that launched the Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program, or EIP. Today, the EIP is the cornerstone of Lake Tahoe’s preservation and has become a nationally recognized model. Rooted in the Bi-State Compact between Nevada and California, the program brings together more than 80 public and private organizations and embodies the spirit of “Team Tahoe,” the label Senator Feinstein gave to the EIP partnership.

Since 1997, EIP partners have completed more than 850 projects, including inspecting 115,000 for aquatic invasive species, completing or improving 200 miles of bike and pedestrian trails, and thinning nearly 100,000 acres of forest to reduce wildfire risk. Wildfire safety remains front and center for Team Tahoe. Alongside law enforcement and emergency management agencies, EIP partners in forest management and fire protection are advancing regional evacuation planning, prioritizing fuel reduction projects along evacuation routes, and making significant upgrades to water infrastructure for fire suppression.

While progress is coming from many directions, the lake’s health and clarity remain the cornerstone of TRPA’s work. Recent reports show that thousands of public and private water quality projects are now preventing more than 700,000 pounds of fine sediment from reaching the lake each year. Encouraging progress, but clarity has yet to improve during the summer months. This underscores the importance of continued action. From restoring streams and wetlands to improving transportation and expanding affordable housing to reduce commutes, today’s work is laying the foundation for long-term improvements in lake clarity.

In an era when division often dominates headlines, the EIP proves that lasting progress is possible when we work together. Senator Feinstein understood that Tahoe’s future relies on more than any single person or organization—it depends on partnerships. Today, Team Tahoe is stronger than ever and will continue to address the threats of today and prepare for those of tomorrow.

Hayley Williamson is Chair of the TRPA Governing Board and Nevada At-Large Board Member.

Vince Hoenigman is Vice Chair of the TRPA Governing Board and a California Governor’s appointee to the Board.

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Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team, August 22, 2025

Against the backdrop of the 2025 Tahoe Summit, federal, state, local, and tribal partners commemorated the renewal of the Lake Tahoe Basin Multi-Jurisdictional Fuel Reduction and Wildfire Prevention Strategy, a 10-year plan to protect communities and restore fire-resilient forests within the Lake Tahoe Basin. 

A multi-agency coordinating group developed the first Multi-Jurisdictional Strategy following the Angora Fire in 2007, which burned 3,100 acres and destroyed more than 248 homes. Since 2007, subsequent strategy updates have guided more than 78,000 acres of forest treatments in and around communities and 85,000 defensible space evaluations to assist homeowners. This work helped protect neighborhoods during recent wildfires, including the 2021 Caldor Fire. 

“The updated strategy outlines the priorities for the most needed work to protect communities,” said Scott Lindgren, Chair of the Multi-Agency Coordinating Group and Lake Tahoe Basin Regional Chiefs. “We know wildfire will happen. This strategy ensures we are prepared and positioned to secure the resources needed to continue the critical work of protecting the Lake Tahoe Basin.”

The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit led the strategy update with input and support from Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team partners. It lays out a shared framework for reducing hazardous fuels, strengthening community preparedness, and safeguarding Tahoe’s environment for the next decade.

“This agreement represents our continued commitment to collaboration,” said Annabelle Monti, Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team Program Manager. “Together, we are building resilience for both the environment of Lake Tahoe and the people who call it home.”

This August also marks the fourth anniversary of the start of the 2021 Caldor Fire, which burned 221,000 acres and became just the second fire on record to cross over the granite crest of the Sierra Nevada.

“As we saw when the Caldor Fire entered the Tahoe Basin and hit previously treated areas, it allowed our firefighters to move in and aggressively fight the fire,” said USDA Forest Service Forest Supervisor for the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Erick Walker. “These fuels treatments, along with home hardening, defensible space, and water infrastructure improvements helped prevent the loss of life and property.”

The Caldor Fire burned 10,000 acres in the Tahoe Basin, but not one permanent residence was lost.

With the signing of the strategy, the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team and its partners enter a new chapter of coordinated action to reduce wildfire risk and protect Lake Tahoe’s communities, environment, and treasured natural resources.

Images
Caption: Leaders representing 17 Lake Tahoe land management, fire, and environmental agencies gather after signing the 10-year fuel reduction strategy at the Lake Tahoe Summit on August 6, 2025 at Valhalla Tahoe in South Lake Tahoe.
Credit: Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team

Caption: A prescribed fire in Sugar Pine Point California State Park creates a shaded fuel break.
Credit: Silver Hartman

About the Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team

The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team consists of representatives of Tahoe Basin fire agencies, CAL FIRE, Nevada Division of Forestry and related state agencies, University of California and Nevada Cooperative Extensions, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, the USDA Forest Service, conservation districts from both states, the California Tahoe Conservancy and the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board. Our Mission is to protect lives, property, and the environment within the Lake Tahoe Basin from wildfire by implementing prioritized fuels reduction projects and engaging the public in becoming a Fire Adapted Community. For more information, visit Tahoe Living with Fire.

Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 08/20/2025, Staff Report

Winter is just around the corner and now is the time to get your ski plans out of the group chat and make them a reality. From milestone anniversaries, signature events, and après to scenic groomers and big mountain terrain; from the West to destinations around the globe, get ready to check some of the best resorts off your bucket list with the Epic Pass. Passes are on sale now at the best price of the fall until Sept. 1, so now is the time to mark your calendar and make your mark on the mountain this winter. Tell your friends and round up your crew, because contrary to the age-old ski industry saying, there are friends on a powder day! Epic Friends. 

Mark Your Calendar – Target West Winter Opening Dates: 

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Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 08/19/2025, Staff Report

The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue HASTY Team invites the community to take on an unforgettable adventure while supporting life-saving missions. The Mt. Rose Summit Challenge pushes participants to their limits on a 10+ mile hike to the 10,776′ summit of Mt. Rose and back, raising critical funds for the HASTY Team’s rescue operations.

Hikers will experience 2,398 feet of elevation gain, crisp mountain air, and breathtaking views of both Lake Tahoe and Reno. Whether you’re seeking a test of endurance or simply a chance to enjoy Northern Nevada’s spectacular landscapes, this event offers something for every adventurous spirit.

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The Incline Village Crystal Bay Community and Business Association (IVCBA) is excited to announce the launch of a new Interactive Digital Map in partnership with Travel North Tahoe Nevada, and Vibe Maps. This cutting-edge tool is designed to support local businesses, enhance the visitor experience, and help residents and travelers alike discover all that the North Lake Tahoe community has to offer.

The IVCBA Digital Map features an intuitive, mobile-friendly interface that highlights everything from restaurants, shops, and service providers to scenic trails, cultural landmarks, and community events. Developed in collaboration with Vibe Maps, a tech company specializing in location-based experience design, the map enables users to navigate Incline Village and Crystal Bay with ease while promoting local small businesses at every turn.

“This new map is about more than just directions—it’s about connection,” said Linda Offerdahl, Executive Director of IVCBA. “Whether you’re a longtime resident or a first-time visitor, our digital map gives you a curated guide to the heart of our community.”

The initiative is a key component of IVCBA’s mission to strengthen economic vitality through innovation and local collaboration. With the support of Travel North Tahoe Nevada, the map also aligns with regional tourism efforts to offer seamless, accessible, and sustainable travel experiences.

The IVCBA Digital Map is available online at www.ivcba.org and will be continually updated to reflect seasonal offerings, special events, and new businesses.

About IVCBA

IVCBA is the community and business association for Incline Village and Crystal Bay, working to build community and grow cohesiveness for the sustainability of Incline Village and Crystal Bay, Nevada

About Travel North Tahoe Nevada

Travel North Tahoe Nevada promotes responsible tourism and destination stewardship for the North Lake Tahoe region, ensuring a balanced experience for both visitors and locals.

About Vibe Maps

Vibe Maps is a technology platform that creates digital experiences for communities and cities, helping people explore neighborhoods 

 As the new school year begins, the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District (NLTFPD) would like to remind our community that safety is a shared responsibility. With students heading back to the classroom, it is especially important for drivers, parents, and students to renew their focus on safe behaviors in and around school zones, bus stops, and neighborhood crosswalks.

In addition, the District encourages extra awareness with the growing number of students using e-bikes. These bikes can travel at higher speeds than traditional bicycles and often operate at varying speeds and directions, making it critical for both riders and drivers to stay alert and practice safe habits.

Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our youth and community, and we encourage everyone to stay alert, follow traffic laws, and make safety a priority during school hours and beyond.

Important Safety Reminders

For Drivers:

• Slow down in school zones and neighborhoods.
• Obey school bus signals—red flashing lights mean stop in both directions.
• Watch for children walking, biking, or riding e-bikes to school, especially near crosswalks.
• Eliminate distractions—put phones down and focus on the road.

For Parents & Students:

• Review and practice safe walking and biking routes to school.
• Always look both ways before crossing the street.
• Wear helmets and reflective gear if biking or riding an e-bike.
• Use designated crosswalks and sidewalks whenever possible.

Community Support

As a community, let’s work together to make this school year safe and successful for all. On behalf of everyone at NLTFPD, we wish all students, families, teachers, and staff a healthy and productive school year.

Stay safe, be alert, and have a great school year!